Root holder

ABSTRACT

Rigid hoops are secured inboard of the ends of an elongated strap and elastic loops are secured at the ends. A relatively stiff portion of the strap separates each rigid hoop from the corresponding loop. The toe of a boot is placed in each rigid hoop, the relatively stiff portion of the strap is placed against the sole of the boot and the loop stretched over the heel of the boot so that a pair of boots may be held securely on the strap.

United States Patent [151 3,653,565 McAusland [4 1 Apr. 4, 1972 541 ROOT HOLDER 3,073,493 l/1963 Pfaffenberger ..224/55 [72] Inventor: Robert R. McAusland, Seattle, Wash. Primary Examiner Gera|d M. Foflenza 1 Assignee: s d a Thompson SkiCo.,lnc.,Seat- 335x322; ggfi gxg 221 Filed: Nov. 5, 1970 57] ABSTRACT Appl. No.1 87,231

US. Cl. ..224/5 R, 224/45 R ..B65d 63/00 Field of Search ..224/5 Z, 45 S, SP, 45 R, 5 R

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 6/1971 Derouin ..224/45 R Rigid hoops are secured inboard of the ends of an elongated strap and elastic loops are secured at the ends. A relatively stiff portion of the strap separates each rigid hoop from the corresponding loop. The toe of a boot is placed in each rigid hoop, the relatively stiff portion of the strap is placed against the sole of the boot and the loop stretched over the heel of the boot so that a pair of boots may be held securely on the strap.

5 Claims, 4 Drawing Figures Patented April 4, 1972 2Q F 1610 4 ROBERT R. MJR XEWB IOCL 220 I60 240. 14a

ATTORNEYS ROOT HOLDER BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to boot holders, particularly ski boot holders.

2. Description of the Prior Art Ski boot holders heretofore used such as in my US. Pat. No. 3,183,535, have been expensive to manufacture and difficult to use. In addition there was a limited range of boot sizes which they could easily accommodate.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide a boot holder that is easy to use and may be carried over the shoulder of the skier.

Another object of this invention is to provide a lightweight boot holder that is adjustable for use with any size boot.

It is another object of this invention to provide a boot holder that is inexpensive to manufacture.

Basically these objects of the invention are accomplished by a strap having sets of rigid hoops and elastic loops adjacent both ends. Preferably each rigid hoop will be inboard of its corresponding elastic loop and will be separated from the elastic loop by a relatively stiff portion of the strap, engageable with the sole of the boot. Both the rigid hoop and the elastic loop extend from the same face of the strap when in use.

A holder of the above type is inexpensive to manufacture, lightweight and easy to store. For example, the strap can be rolled up and placed in a pocket when not in use. The strap will conform to the skiers shoulder so that the boots may be carried on each side of the shoulder leaving the skiers hands free for other purposes. The elastic loop allows the holder to be used for various sized boots. In an alternative form the strap is made of molded rubber for simplicity of manufacture.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric of a boot holder embodying the principles of the invention.

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the holder shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of one end of the holder with a boot shown in phantom lines secured to the holder.

FIG. 4 is a side elevation of one end of a modified form of holder.

In general, the preferred form of the boot holder includes an elongated strap of nylon or cotton web material. The strap could also be of molded rubber either elastic or inelastic. Preferably the strap is of sufficient width so that it may be comfortably worn over the shoulder. A few inches from either end of the strap is provided a rigid hoop 12 for placing over the toe of a boot. An elastic loop 14 for securing around the heel of the boot is at each end of the strap. Between the rigid hoops and their corresponding elastic loops the strap is provided with a relatively stiff portion 16 which abuts against the sole of the boot.

The relatively stiff portion 16 is preferably formed by doubling the strap on itself and riveting as at 18 and 20 to form rings 22 and 24. The rigid hoop 12 is pivotally secured in the ring 22 and preferably is curved on the side 26 furthest from the strap so as to fit in a mating groove customarily found on ski boots. Obviously, the shape of the hoop could be varied for securing around the toes of difierent shaped boots. The elastic loop 14 is secured in the ring 24 by a metal clip and is adapted to be engaged around the heel of a boot.

In FIG. 4 a modified form of boot holder is shown. This holder preferably includes a molded rubber strap having molded openings 22a and 24a in which are pivotally secured a toe holder or rigid hoop 12a and elastic loop 14a, respectively. The molded rubber in this form is relatively stiff thus forming a stiff portion 16a between the rigid hoop and elastic loop.

While a preferred form of the invention and various modifications will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the principles of the invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is not to be limited by the embodiment described, but is to be commensurate with the scope of the claim tended hereto.

The embodiments of the invention in which a particular property or privilege is claimed are defined as follows:

1. A holder for a ski boot or the like comprising an elongated strap having opposite ends, a rigid hoop for holding the toe of a boot secured to the strap adjacent each end, and elastic means for securing the heel of the boot to each end of the strap by pulling the boot toward the rigid hoop.

2. The boot holder of claim 1 wherein the elastic means includes an elastic loop.

3. The boot holder of claim 2 wherein said strap has front and rear sides, each said rigid hoop extending from said front side and secured to said strap inboard the strap ends, said strap having a relatively stiff portion between the rigid hoops and corresponding elastic loops and engageable with the soles of the boots.

4. The boot holder of claim 3 wherein said relatively stiff portions include a portion of said strap doubled over and riveted to form rings for pivotally securing the rigid hoops and elastic loops.

5. The boot holder of claim 1 wherein said strap is of molded rubber. 

1. A holder for a ski boot or the like comprising an elongated strap having opposite ends, a rigid hoop for holding the toe of a boot secured to the strap adjacent each end, and elastic means for securing the heel of the boot to each end of the strap by pulling the boot toward the rigid hoop.
 2. The boot holder of claim 1 wherein the elastic means includes an elastic loop.
 3. The boot holder of claim 2 wherein said strap has front and rear sides, each said rigid hoop extending from said front side and secured to said strap inboard the strap ends, said strap having a relatively stiff portion between the rigid hoops and corresponding elastic loops and engageable with the soles of the boots.
 4. The boot holder of claim 3 wherein said relatively stiff portions include a portion of said strap doubled over and riveted to form rings for pivotally securing the rigid hoops and elastic loops.
 5. The boot holder of claim 1 wherein said strap is of molded rubber. 